Advantages

Disadvantages

Not really recommended.

When I was attempting to fit all manner of office furniture into a small corner of our living room, I settled on a two drawer metal filing cabinet from Argos. It looked quite "officey" and I was a bit over zealous about setting up my office at home that I didn't stop to think about the practicalities of it and really wish I had waited, made do for a few months and then made an informed decision about what I needed and how it would be used.

First major problem with this filing cabinet was the fact that it needed to be put together. I have no problem with flat packed furniture and can put together a wardrobe with the best of them but this completely stumped me. It had so many pieces and for such a small piece of furniture it was amazing.

Secondly because it was all metal the actual assembly was sharp and awkward and I ended up with scratches all over my hands as I was attempting to slot everything together by following the totally confusing instructions! Eventually I succumbed and asked my husband to finish it off as the sliding drawers were too much for my brain to cope with.

Once it was finally assembled I eagerly started to load my files and office items into the two drawers and this is where I came across my second problem. The drawers don't open far enough to allow very good access into them with large folders and such. This applies to the bottom drawer more than the top but it is still restricted for both. I assume the drawer opening has been restricted to that degree so the cabinet does not topple over when the drawers are pulled out but in my opinion they just don't have the right amount of leeway. You have to slide files in horizontally and then try and turn them round once inside to a vertical position. This is not always possible if there are other items in the drawers already. They do slide in and out very easily though so at least that's one thing positive.

It does have a locking facility on it and this is a simple locker style key that you simply turn and remove if you want to. I never locked the drawers and actually took the key out as I kept catching my legs on it and after a while I just put the key inside the drawer and forgot about it. This could be a useful addition if the cabinet is housed in a multiple use office though.

The last thing I have had trouble with is the metal itself. It actually marks really easily and seems to have scratches and blemishes all over it. I gave it a good hard polish the other day and actually took some of the silver colouring off the top. Good job it only houses my old files and printer these days.

Overall, I have not been very impressed with this. It was cheap at just £30 but the assembly and storage problems do not make it a good buy in my opinion. I will opt for wood next time and test the drawer opening space before buying from an office supplier instead of a catalogue shop.